Demaryius Thomas on remaining in tunnel for anthem: I feel passionate about it

Posted by Charean Williams on August 15, 2018, 4:00 PM EST

AP

Demaryius Thomas and Brandon Marshall chose to stay in the tunnel during the playing of the national anthem Saturday night. That broke from Von Miller‘s assertion in May, after the NFL passed a new anthem policy, that the Broncos would stand as a team following a meeting with president Joe Ellis and G.M. John Elway.

“It wasn’t a decision,” Thomas told Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. “It’s just that I always had it on my mind. Not even this year, but last year. It’s just something I’ve dealt with growing up, racism as a kid, kind of still do as a grown up and my family still deals with it today and doesn’t get justice. It’s something I’ve dealt with, my family has dealt with and others around the country have dealt with so much. It’s just tough to see that, because I’m one who wants to put out love to everybody. I don’t see color. I don’t see none of that. To see people get hurt and not get justice is sad.”

A handful of protests occurred during the anthem in the first full week of the preseason.

Running back Marshawn Lynch sat on the bench during the national anthem before the Raiders’ game, and receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson took knees during the national anthem before the Dolphins’ game. A smattering of other players either raised a fist during the anthem or weren’t on the field for the playing of it.

“I don’t think it was a right or wrong time,” Thomas told Jhabvala. “It’s what I was going to do.

“. . . It’s what I feel passionate about. People bash me about playing football. They talk about my game, and it’s what I do everyday. It is what it is. I don’t pay attention to it. I don’t pay attention to social media and TV and all that stuff.”

I feel passionate about standing for our flag and the anthem; paying respect for what they both stand for. You feel passionately about not doing so. There will never be common ground on this issue, period.

Honest question Demaryius, how does standing in the tunnel change the actions of racist people? I’m all for Utopia, people, but it never has and never will exist. There is a segment of the population who will always be racist, or mean, or bigots, or thieves…. that will never change. All we can do is treat others the way we want to be treated, but guess what, they don’t have to treat you with respect in return. That’s the way it is.

Sorry, but you cannot force people to like other people no matter what color they are. And lets not forget, there are racist black people in this world also, along with every other race in the world, not just white people.

Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas are probably some of the luckiest players in NFL history because Peyton Manning fell into their laps and got them all big contracts. Look what happened to all 3 of them once Manning was no longer throwing them the ball.

His mom spent an enormous amount if time in jail for drug charges. He has every right to feel the way he does. Bottom line..,.. no one in history should EVER spend more time in jail for an illegal substance than for actual murder. And it happens all the time.

I am an immigrant from india and I feel very strongly about standing up for the anthem because this country has given everybody an opportunity to move up in life. I love this country and will be standing for the anthem anywhere and anytime. These people who are millionaires have always been given preferential treatment their whole lives and still complain and gripe is frankly very disgusting. This country isnt perfect but it is still the greatest nation on earth.

says:
August 15, 2018 at 4:46 pm
His mom spent an enormous amount if time in jail for drug charges. He has every right to feel the way he does.
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And that’s the cops fault, right?
Maybe she shouldn’t have sold drugs.
That’s illegal, ya know…..

orangehigh says:
August 15, 2018 at 4:04 pm
“I’m not watching the NFL anymore.” – Person visiting a NFL news site in August.

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Actually I think he did fine. If he chooses to not respect the flag then no one can make him. What he did not do was walk out there and publically disrespect the flag. And its the disrespecting that was offensive.

Those that say that by passing up any opportunity to respect the flag is disrespecting it do then need to explain the long lines at the food court under the stands.

Actually, it is primarily the fault of politicians passing ridiculous federal sentencing guidelines and state “three strikes” laws for non-violent crimes.

However, the cops have the discretion as to whether or not to arrest someone.
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At what point did this protest against cops become a protest against politicians?
I missed that memo. I guess it’s just now a protest against whatever you want it to be, right?

Actually, it is primarily the fault of politicians passing ridiculous federal sentencing guidelines and state “three strikes” laws for non-violent crimes.

However, the cops have the discretion as to whether or not to arrest someone.
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So if you get busted for selling drugs….it’s the politician’s fault? You can’t reason with people who don’t take accountability for their actions. It’s also the cops being racist as well since you are being arrested for selling drugs while breaking the law…when their job is to uphold the law.

sbh1cats says:
August 15, 2018 at 6:32 pm
And what have you done to change the culture besides standing alone in a tunnel. Have you gone out and helped in the community to bridge the divide? Or do you just like to talk a lot?

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Sadly, it could be the best he has to offer — either due to lack of energy or lack of intelligence.

@crush22 – The conversation was about who was at fault for DT’s mother’s long incarceration. The salient point was that politicians are responsible for passing the federal sentencing guidelines and state “three strikes” laws.

Nothing in the discussion had to with the protests being related to politicians. Try not to be so daft.

@patriotmaleorgy – The issue is about who is responsible for long incarceration periods for
nonviolent offenses, not who is responsible for the original bust. Obviously the perpetrator is responsible for his/her conduct leading to the original bust. The politicians are responsible for those ridiculously long sentences.

If you think that a 20 year sentence is appropriate for selling an ounce of weed, great, keep wasting your tax dollars on that.

Actually, it is primarily the fault of politicians passing ridiculous federal sentencing guidelines and state “three strikes” laws for non-violent crimes.

However, the cops have the discretion as to whether or not to arrest someone.

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So you are suggesting cops just let drug dealers go? So what if its illegal? Actually there is a point where they dont have that discretion and this I think crosses it. I think this posters attitude opitimizes the real issue. There are folks that are so anti cop pro criminal that they think the cops are some evil firce and the criminals are some blessing on our society who should be left alone. And those are the ones complaining.

patriotmaleorgy says:
So if you get busted for selling drugs….it’s the politician’s fault? You can’t reason with people who don’t take accountability for their actions. It’s also the cops being racist as well since you are being arrested for selling drugs while breaking the law…when their job is to uphold the law.
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No it’s not the politician’s fault. However, if for Black Americans the sentence is 20 years and for White Americans, it is 2 years, then that is an issue worth correcting. I bet you are about to say that that could never happen in America right. Save your energy and pick up a book. Laws are unfairly applied depending on race and location.

So everyone that’s willing to stand for the anthem should be willing to stand wearing a replica of the tie that Randy Moss wore during the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony. This is not to say that we’re passing judgement on how any of those people lost their lives but to remind us of the fact that the “anthem” protest isn’t real. The social injustice protest is real. I’m hoping that this can lead to dialogue and positive change through educated understanding and community engagement.

PoliticalCorrectnessBelongsInTheKitchen says: August 15, 2018 at 4:46 pm
His mom spent an enormous amount if time in jail for drug charges. He has every right to feel the way he does. Bottom line..,.. no one in history should EVER spend more time in jail for an illegal substance than for actual murder. And it happens all the time.
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It’s not about the equivalency of laws, which one is worse or what one court or another has done differently, or any personal hierarchy of “badness”. It’s simply about personal responsibility and the law. A wise man said that if you don’t want to do the time, don’t do the crime.

The players are protesting police brutality and the lack of justice associated with it.. They are not disrespecting anybody. I support and respect them because even though they are making a lot of money and could very easily just keep their mouths shut and not take any action; they are not forgetting where they came from.

Two men remained in the tunnel during the anthem. After the game, a reporter asked one of the men a question. The man reasonably addressed the issue, and the snowflakes lose their minds over nothing (again). Some of them will quit watching the NFL (again) because they are so upset that two men stayed in the tunnel for 45 seconds. Silly, isn’t it?

bannedfromchoirpractice says: August 15, 2018 at 10:03 pm
Two men remained in the tunnel during the anthem. After the game, a reporter asked one of the men a question. The man reasonably addressed the issue, and the snowflakes lose their minds over nothing (again). Some of them will quit watching the NFL (again) because they are so upset that two men stayed in the tunnel for 45 seconds. Silly, isn’t it?
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In a single variable world, your example and analysis would be genius. But context is a thing and I do realize that logic is hard for the sensitive snowflake.

His mom spent an enormous amount if time in jail for drug charges. He has every right to feel the way he does. Bottom line..,.. no one in history should EVER spend more time in jail for an illegal substance than for actual murder. And it happens all the time.

Really? His mom was offered 4 years and his grandmother was offered 12 years. They didn’t take the deals. Get the facts straight, they are easy to find.

Whats really sad about this. Nfl players know that all the families of the brave women and men who were lost defending the freedom of all Americans find this disrespectful. But instead of recognizing that and shifting thier effort to a different Avenue, the dig in as a sign of pride and resistance. Think of all the countless ways to bring awareness to a cause.

Some things are bigger than you and your cause. The left has lost thier love and respect for our country. Its is unwinding the fabric of freedom. Truly sad.

aj823 says:
August 15, 2018 at 9:01 pm
I can’t believe people are actually defending somebody that sold drugs…so sad
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That’s the problem, identity politics. Why take responsibility for your actions when you can just blame society or the police.

Quado Cox says:
August 15, 2018 at 7:29 pm
patriotmaleorgy says:
So if you get busted for selling drugs….it’s the politician’s fault? You can’t reason with people who don’t take accountability for their actions. It’s also the cops being racist as well since you are being arrested for selling drugs while breaking the law…when their job is to uphold the law.
_______________________
No it’s not the politician’s fault. However, if for Black Americans the sentence is 20 years and for White Americans, it is 2 years, then that is an issue worth correcting. I bet you are about to say that that could never happen in America right. Save your energy and pick up a book. Laws are unfairly applied depending on race and location.Quado Cox says:
August 15, 2018 at 7:29 pm
patriotmaleorgy says:
So if you get busted for selling drugs….it’s the politician’s fault? You can’t reason with people who don’t take accountability for their actions. It’s also the cops being racist as well since you are being arrested for selling drugs while breaking the law…when their job is to uphold the law.
_______________________
No it’s not the politician’s fault. However, if for Black Americans the sentence is 20 years and for White Americans, it is 2 years, then that is an issue worth correcting. I bet you are about to say that that could never happen in America right. Save your energy and pick up a book. Laws are unfairly applied depending on race and location.
=
You evidently aren’t aware that sentencing varies even within racial groups. Not every white gets the same sentence for identical crimes. Many of the blacks locked up over three strikes are people that are infecting black neighborhoods selling drugs to black kids and the good black people of those places wanted them put away more than anyone. THey’re trying to protect their lives and others are using this protest as a look at me moment, never bothering to look deep enough to actually understand what’s really going on. This is what happens when you think color first.

Sam Gupta says:
August 15, 2018 at 5:15 pm
I am an immigrant from india and I feel very strongly about standing up for the anthem because this country has given everybody an opportunity to move up in life. I love this country and will be standing for the anthem anywhere and anytime. These people who are millionaires have always been given preferential treatment their whole lives and still complain and gripe is frankly very disgusting. This country isnt perfect but it is still the greatest nation on earth.
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Great post and we are happy you are here to contribute to the greatest country on earth. You are what this country is all about. Taking a moment to collectively show appreciation for the great people that gave us all of the wonderful things we have and the freedoms we enjoy is the least we can do. Watching political forces hijack that moment is beyond disgusting.

PoliticalCorrectnessBelongsInTheKitchen says:
August 15, 2018 at 4:46 pm
His mom spent an enormous amount if time in jail for drug charges. He has every right to feel the way he does. Bottom line..,.. no one in history should EVER spend more time in jail for an illegal substance than for actual murder. And it happens all the time.

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The jail sentence you refer to was not for some simple possession case, she was running a cocain ring. This is not a victimless crine. Coke does result in deaths, killings, and destroyed lives. Any person promoting its existence in our society is killing people. It may be directly, it may be indirectly, but they are killing. Lets keep it real people. This is a problem that needs to be stamped out and the people contributing to it held accountable. I get it that its tough when its a family memberbthat you love who has committed a crime. But that does not make the people whos job it is to hold people accountable fir that crime the ines at fault here. It may be tough to face but its actually the family member at fault.

I fully support this. I hate kneeling for the anthem. I feel like this is a much more respectful way to handle it. I applaud them for the move and hope that things can change to help these men feel equal and valued.

3Fingaz says: August 15, 2018 at 6:07 pm
It’s just a dumb song and the flag is just a piece of cloth..this country isn’t fair to all ppl and that has to change, THAT’S America
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Every one of us were young and stupid once. Maybe try again when you reach adulthood and have actually been somewhere.

Quado Cox says:
August 15, 2018 at 7:29 pm
patriotmaleorgy says:
So if you get busted for selling drugs….it’s the politician’s fault? You can’t reason with people who don’t take accountability for their actions. It’s also the cops being racist as well since you are being arrested for selling drugs while breaking the law…when their job is to uphold the law.
_______________________
No it’s not the politician’s fault. However, if for Black Americans the sentence is 20 years and for White Americans, it is 2 years, then that is an issue worth correcting. I bet you are about to say that that could never happen in America right. Save your energy and pick up a book. Laws are unfairly applied depending on race and location.
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A large portion of the posters on this thread are racist, and either can’t admit it to themselves, or don’t even realize it. They’ll pick any excuse in the book to be upset about it.
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You are right.. Black and white!

gs356967044 says:
August 15, 2018 at 4:23 pm
He “doesn’t see color”, but he says he still experiences racism. Hmm…
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Is that hard for you to comprehend? Just because he himself “doesn’t see color” doesn’t mean others won’t. You can experience racism without being racist yourself…

DT, if you feel this strongly about it, leave the USA, your millions, your mansions, and your fleet of cars. Go back to your ancestral home and find your true social injustice. We are sorry the United States has treated you so terribly.

tedmurph says:
August 16, 2018 at 8:54 am
A large portion of the posters on this thread are racist, and either can’t admit it to themselves, or don’t even realize it. They’ll pick any excuse in the book to be upset about it.

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What you are arguing is that it is that because a cocaine dealer has a certain skin color anyone wanting them to be held accountable for the cocaine dealing is a racist.